Stop on the Tasty Review Tour for PUSHING THE LINE, a Line novella by Kimberly Kincaid + giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the Tasty Review Tour for PUSHING THE LINE by Kimberly Kincaid. The Line Series has been an extraordinary journey for four couples and Harper and Aaron are in good company.

***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review

Blurb for PUSHING THE LINE:

Free-spirited artist Harper McGee is happy to go wherever the wind takes her…until her flight pattern sends her back to Brentsville, New York for her beloved grandmother funeral. Harper’s grief turns to shock, however, when she discovers her grandmother has named her sole proprietor of her candy shop, Luscious. But she has no intention of being anchored to one place, and anyway, she doesn’t know the first thing about running a kitchen or a business. Selling Luscious is the only viable option— until the shop catches fire due to old wiring. Fixing the damage requires major work, and if Harper wants to put it on the market, she needs major help.

Thrill-seeking firefighter Aaron Fisher has never walked away from a challenge or a friend. So when a fellow firefighter is hurt on a call and can’t complete a side job for his contracting company, Aaron’s quick to jump in. He’s done plenty of fix ‘er ups for his buddy in the past, and despite his silver spoon upbringing and his no-holds-barred attitude, swinging a hammer suits Aaron just fine. That is, until he discovers the client is the same impetuous woman he forcibly dragged from the flames of Brentsville’s local candy shop.

The more time Harper and Aaron spend at Luscious, the hotter their attraction burns, daring them both to shed their tough outer layers to reveal the tender desires beneath. But when a buyer makes Harper the offer of a lifetime, she must choose between roots and wings. Can two people who live in the moment learn to see past the moment, or will Aaron and Harper always live their lives pushing the line?

*                     *                      *                      *                       *

Harper McGee is heartbroken at the loss of her beloved grandmother, Isabelle. Now with the fate of Izzy’s candy shop, Luscious, left in her hands, Harper decides the best thing to do is sell it and move on. It’s what she’s always done – keep moving, never settling in one place for too long because that way she doesn’t have to commit to any one place or any one person.

When the candy shop nearly goes up in flames, Harper is thrown together with a sexy risk taker very much like herself, only Aaron Fisher is firmly grounded in Brentsville. Soon he makes her want to settle down, too, but can she?

PUSHING THE LINE, novella four in the Line Series by Kimberly Kincaid is as sweet as the candy shop, Luscious, and imagined scent of pecan clusters that Harper teaches Aaron to make before they make some magic themselves in the bedroom. It’s a wonderful climax, if you excuse the pun, for a wonderful series featuring some of the most delightful, sexy, and real characters I’ve ever met.

I loved that Kimberly gathered her couples together to help Harper discover that she belongs in Brentsville, and with Aaron. I’m sad to see this series end but I know that Kimberly has more coming to us soon. But whether you’ve read the complete Line Series up to this point or are new to the series as a whole, I highly recommend PUSHING THE LINE by Kimberly Kincaid. Don’t miss out on the first three in the series – LOVE ON THE LINE, DRAWING THE LINE, OUTSIDE THE LINES – all novellas and all delightful love stories that will make you laugh, make you sigh, make you fall in love, and probably make you hungry since Kimberly always includes a chance for her couples to cook together – in the kitchen. *wink*

About the Author:

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. When she's not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as "The Pleather Bomber", she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a 2011 RWA Golden Heart® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. She has written two digital novellas, LOVE ON THE LINE and DRAWING THE LINE, about hot cops and sexy chefs, with a third novella, OUTSIDE THE LINES, due this summer. She is also thrilled to have collaborated on a Christmas anthology with Donna Kauffman and Kate Angell, titled THE SUGAR COOKIE SWEETHEART SWAP, to kick off her Pine Mountain foodie series with Kensington this October. Kimberly’s first full-length novel, TURN UP THE HEAT, will follow in February 2014. She resides in northern Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

Visit her any time at website or come check her out on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

GIVEAWAY: Two Digital Sets of the Line Series (books 1, 2, & 3) to Two Lucky Winners. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

Good Luck and Happy Reading Everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PUSHING THE LINE, a Line Series novella by Kimberly Kincaid, self-publish, available now in ebook format at Amazon.

***click on link or cover below for purchasing information

   

Wacky Wednesday: A Visit With Kimberly Kincaid, author of DRAWING THE LINE + #Giveaway (and two HOT guests)

Hi Everyone! Well, on Monday, I reviewed DRAWING THE LINE by Kimberly Kincaid and if you were lucky enough to get it, it was free on Amazon that same day but only that day. However, you are in luck because Kimberly is visiting with me today and both, she and I, are offering up a Kindle copy of this deliciously intriguing new contemporary romance. That’s TWO copies available today! So, if you’ve got a Kindle or a Kindle App, you’re in luck! And if you've already got your copy, enter for a family member or friend. I'm going to allow you to gift your prize to someone special!
 
Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. When she's not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as "The Pleather Bomber", she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a 2011 RWA Golden Heart® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. She has written two digital novellas, LOVE ON THE LINE and DRAWING THE LINE, about hot cops and sexy chefs, with a third novella, OUTSIDE THE LINE, due this summer. She is also thrilled to have collaborated on a Christmas anthology with Donna Kauffman and Kate Angell, titled THE SUGAR COOKIE SWEETHEART SWAP, to kick off her Pine Mountain foodie series with Kensington this October. Kimberly’s first full-length novel, TURN UP THE HEAT, will follow in February 2014. She resides in northern Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters. Visit her any time at her website or feel free to follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Amy: Ah ha, here she comes now, looking lovely as always. I hope you’ll help me welcome her back to Unwrapping Romance. Oh my, it seems she’s brought some guests with her.

***Enter Kimberly followed by two men. The first is tall with dark hair and steely gray eyes, looking as if he needs a shave. He’s dressed in a plain white button down shirt tucked into gray suit pants. The light above glinting off a badge alongside the gun holstered on his belt. The tall, dark-blond haired man with him has smiling blue eyes and is dressed in charcoal pants and a gray and white striped shirt. He also carries a similar badge and gun. Oh my goodness, it’s Detectives Noah Blackwell and Jason Morgan. ***

Amy:  Hi Kimberly, it's a pleasure to have you with us again.

Kimberly: Thanks for having me. I even got a police escort! *nods to the guys*

Amy: So I see. *knees wobbling a bit*

Welcome Detectives, I hope it’s all right if I call you, Noah and Jason, I feel I know you both so well. *winking at my readers*

It's certainly our pleasure to have you all with us today!

Kimberly, perhaps you'd like to tell us a little bit about yourself, and your gorgeous companions, for those who don't know you yet. 

 

Kimberly: I write contemporary foodie romance, sometimes with a twist of suspense. The "line" series is a trilogy of digital novellas that are my first foray into publishing, with a print series coming from Kensington starting this fall. Noah is my first published hero - *points to the dark-haired guy trying really hard to blend into the walls* - and Jason is my second. *of course, Jason gives up an all-American smile for the crowd*

 

Amy: Well, I, for one, am very pleased that you brought your heroes with you today. It’s always a pleasure to meet some of the men who help keep us safe.

Noah and Jason, you're both police officers. Do you find that as such, it's easier or more difficult to meet women? *I may be married but I can still look!*

 

Jason: *laughing* Well, we're both really off the market now. But before, it didn't make things easy. The job has weird hours, and even weirder pitfalls. Even now, we never know what we're going to get.

 

Noah: *nodding*  Yeah. But Violet's pretty cool about it. And if you want to get technical, I did meet her as part of the job since she's Jason's sister and he and I are partners.  

Jason: *making a face* Don't remind me. I guess I met Serenity on the job too since she was a witness in a case I worked, so maybe it does make it easier to meet women! 

 

Amy:  Sounds like it to me. *smiling, while grumbling under my breath –Why couldn’t I have met cops like this when I was still available?*

Noah and Jason, you are brave men who put your lives on the line every day to keep us safe, and we thank you so much for your service. Kimberly, was there any special reason you were drawn to creating stories for police officers as heroes?  

 

Kimberly: Lots of them! I like really intense heroes, and for me, first-responder professions like cops and firefighters are the perfect base. Even though Noah and Jason both have different personalities and backgrounds, they're both really powerful on the page. I think their profession, and their dedication to that profession, is a large part of that intensity. 

Amy: Powerful and intense are definitely two traits both of these men have in common. *looking longingly at the two handsome men*

It's said that the fastest way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

Noah and Jason, is this true or do feel there is some other quality a woman must possess in order to truly capture your heart?  

Noah: *looks around* Violet will probably have a fit if she hears this, but the food isn't the most important thing to me. She's just right out there, no matter what. It's her honesty that gets me. She's really comfortable with who she is. I like that. 

 

Jason:  Awww. Look at you, talking about your feelings

*dodges a not-so-friendly punch on the arm from Noah*

No, really, while I like the food a lot, Serenity's not afraid of anything. I really dig that confident air she has. But I'm not gonna lie, her apple turnovers are killer too.

 

Amy:  Two very lucky ladies, I say. I’m planning to try out those apple turnovers on my hubby. Serenity got very lucky so I’m hoping for the same. 

At this point, I usually ask my favorite question of an author.

If you could be ANY character in ANY book, who would it be and why? I am addressing this to Kimberly.  

Kimberly: Oooo, I don't know! I might be a character in a JR Ward novel, because honestly, the paranormal aspect is so fantastical and unreal. It's not like I could have it any other way. 

Amy: Some very sexy heroes running around in JR Ward’s novels – I like that choice. : )

As for the gentlemen, I would like to ask you this for a last question:  if you had a second chance to choose a profession, would you choose something other than being a cop and if so, what would it be?  

Jason:  Well, I knew I was going to be a cop from an early age, but I think it would be cool to be a newspaper reporter. And watching Serenity run her own business gives me a lot of respect for anyone who does that, too. 

Noah *looking sheepish*: Sorry, Amy. I've gotta punk out on this one. I never wanted to be anything other than a cop. Ever. 

Amy: *ooh, he said my name* Well, we’re very glad that you’re both police officers ensuring our safety and watching each other’s backs. Thank you so much for visiting us and for being so candid. : ) 

So Kimberly, Noah, and Jason - what's up next for the town of Brentsville? 

 

Kimberly:  Funny you should ask! That quietly sexy ER doctor who popped up in Noah's book made a repeat appearance in Jason's book, too...I was thinking we should give him a happily-ever-after. What do you think, guys? 

Noah: Who, Dr. Fisher? He's all right! Don't go messing with him too much. But yeah. It'd be cool to see him with someone. 

Jason: Hey, the doc took great care of Serenity. I say go for it. And you know what, mess with him! After all, you messed with us and we turned out just fine.  

Noah: *lifting a brow* Speak for yourself, dude. Kincaid shot me in the beginning of my book, you know.  

Kimberly: *laughing* He never lets me forget it, either! Don't be such a pouty face. Violet took great care of you. 

Jason: *with a wicked glint in his eyes* Did she just call you a pouty face?  

Noah: *frowning* It's time to go.

Kimberly: Yes, sadly it is. I've got another novella to finish. Stay tuned for OUTSIDE THE LINES, Dr. Blake Fisher's story, later this summer.

Hint: His heroine is actually someone readers have seen before... : ) 

Amy: *smiling at the banter between her guests* I’m sorry you all have to go but I totally understand – duty calls, as does the keyboard for writers. I can’t wait to read OUTSIDE THE LINES. 

I want to thank Kimberly Kincaid for joining us today, and for bringing with her, two of the most wonderful men I've had the pleasure to meet between the pages, to spend the day with us. Noah and Jason, you're wonderful heroes and we thank you for making our lives safer, and oh, so much happier.  

Kimberly: I'm laughing. All this praise goes right to their heads, you know! 

Amy:  If you haven't read LOVE ON THE LINE - Noah's story, and DRAWING THE LINE - Jason's story, then by all means, do so.

Kimberly and I are each offering up a Kindle copy of DRAWING THE LINE to two lucky commenters today. So, if you'd like a chance to win one of two copies of Kimberly's newest release, DRAWING THE LINE, please answer the following question to comment for a chance to win a Kindle copy of this wonderful contemporary romance. I’ve asked Kimberly to ask the question – Kimberly? 

Kimberly:  Thank you!!! Let's see. Let's go with this: In all my books, the characters have nicknames for each other (Noah calls Violet by her last name, Serenity calls Jason Detective McHot Hot-- albeit not to his face, heh) What's the best nickname anyone's given you?  

Amy: Great question!! I’ll give mine up to get the ball rolling – hubby calls me “Red”! I love it. It reminds me of Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in Philadelphia Story. So, … 

WHAT’S THE BEST NICKNAME ANYONE’S GIVEN YOU?

GIVEAWAY: Two Kindle Copies of DRAWING THE LINE by Kimberly Kincaid. One Copy Each to Two Lucky Commenters.

Blurb for DRAWING THE LINE:

When Detective Jason Morgan is tasked with keeping a local restaurant owner safe as part of a make-or-break case, he rises to the challenge. The job is his first priority, and he owes it to the memory of his father, a detective killed in the line of duty, to do it at any cost. But Jason never expected Serenity Gallagher to be so beautiful, so serious...or so tough to protect.

Serenity has moved from place to place at the whim of her capricious mother all her life. The last thing she wants is to leave the diner she finally calls home, even if it means being stuck with a sexy blue-eyed detective. But she’s the only witness to a horrible crime, and the man behind it wants her very, very dead. Going into protective custody means survival, no matter how much Serenity hates hiding.

As Jason and Serenity bide their time together, they are shocked to discover they have much more in common than the surface reveals. But keeping her safe is Jason’s number one priority, no matter how much he’s drawn in by the woman beneath the witness, and Serenity’s past makes it difficult to trust. As the stakes get higher and the spark burns hotter, can Jason and Serenity draw the line?

GIVEAWAY RULES:

***This Giveaway is OPEN TO EVERYONE with a Kindle or Kindle App, international included. (void where prohibited) 

*btw, you can get a FreeKindle App at Amazon*

***For VALID ENTRY, commenter must leave a VALID EMAIL ADDRESS. Remember the Magic Formula for Entry: 

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Thank you to all who visited.

 ***This Giveaway will run until 11:30PM EST, Friday, May 31, 2013 at which time two lucky valid entries will be chosen by randomizer to each win a Kindle Copy of DRAWING THE LINE by Kimberly Kincaid. The winners will be notified by email, and announced in a special Saturday post. If the winners don’t respond by end of day Thursday, June 6, 2013, a new winner, or two, will be chosen by the same process.

***If you've already got your copy, feel free to enter anyway and if you win, you can designate who you'd like to 'gift' your win to.
Good Luck Everyone! 

Happy Reading Everyone! 

DRAWING THE LINE, a novella by Kimberly Kincaid, Amazon, available for Kindle and Kindle app. 

LOVE ON THE LINE, a novella by Kimberly Kincaid, Amazon, available for Kindle and Kindle app. 

THE SUGAR COOKIE SWEETHEART SWAP, an anthology by Donna Huffman, Kate Angell, and Kimberly Kincaid, coming September 24, 2013.


                                                 

Unwrapping: Review of DRAWING THE LINE by Kimberly Kincaid

Back in March, I introduced you to a new author named Kimberly Kincaid and her first book, LOVE ON THE LINE.  Well, I was so taken by her characters that when her second book, DRAWING THE LINE, starring Violet Morgan’s twin brother Jason, I knew I had to read this one, too. Again, because it’s only on Kindle or Kindle App right now, I had to sit at my computer and read there instead of comfortably in a chair or bed with my ereader. But, just as with LOVE ON THE LINE, it is a fast read that catches and holds tight. It’s not so bad reading these on the PC! Still wish they were available in .epub though! 

***Purchased this one for my own personal reading but of course, will share my thoughts with you! 

Blurb for DRAWING THE LINE:

When Detective Jason Morgan is tasked with keeping a local restaurant owner safe as part of a make-or-break case, he rises to the challenge. The job is his first priority, and he owes it to the memory of his father, a detective killed in the line of duty, to do it at any cost. But Jason never expected Serenity Gallagher to be so beautiful, so serious...or so tough to protect.

Serenity has moved from place to place at the whim of her capricious mother all her life. The last thing she wants is to leave the diner she finally calls home, even if it means being stuck with a sexy blue-eyed detective. But she’s the only witness to a horrible crime, and the man behind it wants her very, very dead. Going into protective custody means survival, no matter how much Serenity hates hiding.

As Jason and Serenity bide their time together, they are shocked to discover they have much more in common than the surface reveals. But keeping her safe is Jason’s number one priority, no matter how much he’s drawn in by the woman beneath the witness, and Serenity’s past makes it difficult to trust. As the stakes get higher and the spark burns hotter, can Jason and Serenity draw the line?

 

                                          *               *               *              *               *               *              *

Serenity Gallagher owns and runs Mac’s Diner. It’s her life, livelihood, and nothing is going to keep her from it – not even a killer. When she stumbles upon an attack on one of her staff, she also comes face to face with a killer who will see to it that she disappears so that she can’t testify against him. With no other choice, but to go into protective custody, she unwillingly agrees to turn over the diner’s operation to her assistant and hide out with the handsome detective who frequents her lunch hour every Wednesday with a pretty, blond-haired woman.

Jason Morgan is a cop and he takes his job very seriously, so much so that he doesn’t have the time or the inclination to have a woman in his life. Of course, that doesn’t stop him from noticing the dark-haired beauty that works at Mac’s Diner who always smells as good as the apple turnovers she serves up when he meets Violet for lunch each week. It's because Jason is so serious about following the rules of the job that he tries very hard to keep his attraction for Serenity from getting in the way, but soon succumbs to her charms and in the process, possibly puts them both in grave danger.

DRAWING THE LINE by Kimberly Kincaid catches hold of the reader on the very first page and doesn’t let go until you see those words, THE END. However, don’t shut your reader off yet because then she treats you to a delicious recipe that if you’re like me, you’re going to want to try out.

Kimberly weaves a romance filled with sexual tension that will have you itching for one of them to make the first move. When it finally happens, you’ll find yourself cheering Serenity on as she captures the heart and full attention of Jason Morgan, a cop who always says the job comes first. We are also treated to reappearances by Noah Blackwell and Violet Morgan so things stay interesting as each puts in their two cents and eventually gets to give Jason one of those ever satisfying, “I told you so” moments.

I highly recommend DRAWING THE LINE, a novella by Kimberly Kincaid to anyone, whether you’ve read LOVE ON THE LINE or not. This fast-paced, quick romance can easily be read as a stand-alone but really, as fast as these go, why not read LOVE ON THE LINE first and then treat yourself to Jason’s moment of surrender when Serenity claims his heart. The thing about reading a Kimberly Kincaid novella is that they are as delicious as the recipes she shares at the end and you can’t stop with just one. I’m already eager for the next one.

***Be sure to stop by on Wednesday when I’ll have Kimberly Kincaid as a guest for Wacky Wednesday and yes, there will be a Giveaway but there will also be a couple of guys coming with her. Anyone want to make a guess who?

Happy Reading Everyone!

DRAWING THE LINE, a novella by Kimberly Kincaid, Amazon Digital, available now on Kindle and Kindle App.

                                                                  

And the Kindle Copy of LOVE ON THE LINE by Kimberly Kincaid goes to ...

THANK YOU EVERYONE

for taking the time to visit

with the lovely
Kimberly Kincaid
and
a great big thank you
to Kimberly
for a such a wonderful post.
You're welcome back here any time,
perhaps when Jason makes his debut! 

I hope you enjoyed this
wonderful look into the
mind of an author and how
she deals with writer's block and
where she gets inspiration.

If you haven't read LOVE ON THE LINE
by Kimberly Kincaid yet,
don't worry, it's going to get even easier
if you weren't the one to win a
Kindle copy here at Unwrapping Romance.

Whenever, I do a giveaway, I always wish
I could give each person who enters a copy.
Well, in a manner, this time I
can kind of do just that.

 As promised, one lucky commenter is

going to win a Kindle copy of
LOVE ON THE LINE by Kimberly Kincaid.

So without further ado,

the winner is: 

 

CHRISBAILS

 

 Congrats to Christine, she has been notified by email

and she will be receiving her copy of this
fabulous, deliciously sexy novella by the amazing
debut author, Kimberly Kincaid

BUT ...

The rest of you are also able to get a copy absolutely
FREE for a limited time through Amazon,
starting today, Friday, March 29th,
so feel free to click on the link below (cover)
and get your prize too!

 

 Christine, please check your SPAM folder so you don't miss the message.

Congratulations, Christine and thank you

to everyone who visited and played.

Happy Reading Everyone!

               

Wacky Wednesday Guest Post - THE MUSE: WHERE DO THOSE IDEAS COME FROM, ANYWAY? by Kimberly Kincaid, debut author of LOVE ON THE LINE

On Monday, I reviewed a debut novella by a talented new romance author - LOVE ON THE LINE by Kimberly Kincaid. As much as I love reading debuts, I’m equally amazed when a debut is a novella, and a novella that is as wonderful and character-driven as this one. As someone who has trouble squashing my stories into a smaller word count, I am in awe of such talent.

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. When she's not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as "The Pleather Bomber", she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a 2011 RWA Golden Heart® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. She is thrilled to have collaborated on a Christmas anthology with Donna Kauffman and Kate Angell, titled THE SUGAR COOKIE SWEETHEART SWAP, to kick off her Pine Mountain foodie series with Kensington this October. Her first full-length novel, TURN UP THE HEAT, will follow in February 2014. Kimberly resides in northern Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters. Visit her any time at her website, or come check her out on Facebook and Twitter. She's got some fab recipes, including  a yummy one at the end of LOVE ON THE LINE.

Kimberly has been kind enough to share with us where she gets her inspiration. After hearing hers, mine don't seem so odd. I'll share mine in a comment. I hope you will give Kimberly Kincaid a warm, Unwrapping Romance, welcome. Stick around after, because I’ve got a giveaway at the end of this post. It is Wacky Wednesday, after all.

Kimberly, it’s all yours.

Greetings, my friends,

THE MUSE: WHERE DO THOSE IDEAS COME FROM, ANYWAY?

When I tell people I write romantic fiction, many of them picture me sitting in my neat and cozy office, a cup of tea at the ready as I eagerly type out page after page of my latest work-in-progress. I hate to break the illusion, but writing is a far messier, far more chaotic prospect than all that! And when writer’s block hits? It’s like going from zero to crazy in about four seconds flat. But when The Block hits (and it hits every. single. writer out there), the backup plan can be nearly as much fun as the writing itself.

First, I Step Away From the Keyboard. Yes, I know this sounds counter-intuitive. I’m supposed to be writing! But that blank screen can give a writer’s mind the same idea sometimes (think monkey see, monkey do!) I am incredibly inspired by things found off the page, especially TV shows and real-life interactions. Sometimes I’ll go to Starbucks and gently eavesdrop on conversations (I don’t go all superspy though! That wouldn’t be polite!), or maybe I’ll watch an episode or two of my favorite show on the DVR. Taking a walk will even kickstart my brain sometimes. After all, minds at rest stay at rest. Minds in motion write novels!

I Read. Then I Read Some More. Books by others aren’t just a source of oh-yes in the down-time department for me. They can be an incredibly valuable resource in getting my creative juices going. When I was brainstorming ideas for my latest novella, I was really writer’s blocked. Know what got me writing? A fashion layout in Cosmopolitan magazine! A mere month after I flipped that glossy page, Love On The Line was done. And all it took was a brain-break to read.

I Talk it Out. Some of my most inspired ideas have come from conversations that started with the phrase, “I need an idea for a book!” I’m fortunate enough to have five incredible critique partners, all of whom have said this, and heard me say it, at some point or another. Noodling things out with another person can flesh out ideas, and often offers up surprises as well as sparks. Sometimes I have no idea my hero had a dark past or my heroine wanted to open up her own cooking school until I hash out threads of ideas with my CPs. And once I figure it out, I’m off to the races.

Let’s Get Visual, Visual! Like many people out there, I am a very visual creature. I write foodie romance, and so the grocery store is a hotbed of inspiration for me (I’m reminded of the time I wrote half a scene in the middle of Costco because the banana bunches sparked a whopper of a story idea. Always keep a pen and notebook in your bag, people!) But visual inspiration can come from anywhere. Magazine pictures, people in their cars at stoplights, stories on the news, all of these things have the potential to get a writer’s brain un-blocked.

So tell me, friends! If you’re a fellow writer, what methods do you employ to banish The Block? What works best for your style? And how do you keep those ideas flowing? If you’re a reader, what fresh ideas can you give to those of us in the chair? How do you get motivated in your jobs? In your lives? And what do you want to see in our stories to send us in the right direction?

***Kimberly, thank you so very much for a wonderful post and such fabulous ideas on how to inspire ourselves. Who would ever think that bananas would be inspiring? Then again, there is something about the shape. Well, my dear readers, Kimberly has provided the means, and asked you the questions.

Writers and Readers, how do you get unblocked? How do get motivated in your jobs, and in your lives?  What fresh ideas would you like to see in your favorite authors' stories? 

GIVEAWAY:   One Lucky commenter will win a Kindle copy of LOVE ON THE LINE by Kimberly Kincaid, so if you’ve got a Kindle or Kindle app, please leave a comment and valid email address for a chance to read this fabulous, sizzling contemporary romance.

GIVEAWAY PRIZE: LOVE ON THE LINE by Kimberly Kincaid

Blurb for LOVE ON THE LINE:

Violet Morgan puts the personal in personal chef, catering to clients who want the full cooking experience rather than a culinary drop-and-dash. But when her brother’s police detective partner is injured in the line of duty and needs help during recovery, she makes an exception. Violet lost her father to the job seven years ago, and worries for her brother’s safety every day. The last thing she wants is to get up-close with her brother’s career-cop partner…again.

For Noah Blackwell, being a detective isn’t just a lifestyle, it’s a legacy. So when he’s forced to take mandatory leave and deal with the trauma amnesia keeping him from identifying his shooter, it’s a literal case of adding insult to injury— and now he’s got to deal with an unwanted culinary caregiver on top of it. Never mind that he and Violet shared a steamy, secret kiss last New Year’s Eve. She rejects everything related to the job, and Noah’s not about to be distracted from recovering his memory and getting back to what he does best. No matter how pretty Violet is.

Despite their differences, Violet and Noah share a surprising bond in the kitchen that grows into something neither of them expect. But as Noah heals and their feelings for each other extend from the kitchen to the bedroom, Violet knows she must make an impossible choice. She may wear her heart on her sleeve when it comes to food, but can she risk it all to put love on the line?

EXCERPT FROM LOVE ON THE LINE by Kimberly Kincaid:
As soon as Noah got behind her, the smell of coconuts and warm sand filled his senses, delivering a crystal clear image to his brain. His heart slammed in his ribcage, and without thinking, he cupped Violet’s elbow and swung her around, so tight to his body that he felt her gasp as much as heard it.

“You were in my hospital room yesterday. Before I woke up.”

“I…I—”

But he barreled on, the memory as bright and vivid as if it had just happened a minute ago. “Your hair was braided, on your shoulders, and you were wearing a…a bracelet that sounded like wind chimes. You said the doctor was coming. It was you.”

The fan of her gold-tipped lashes fluttered wide, and the warm puff of her breath heated his cheek as she nodded. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I was looking for Jason, but I didn’t think you’d wake up.”

Noah shook his head to quell her apology. “It doesn’t matter,” he said, his resolve locking into place, and Violet went utterly still against him.

“It doesn’t?”

“No. You’re the first thing I’ve been able to remember since I got shot in the first place. In fact, you’re the only thing I can remember since I got shot.”

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Happy Reading Everyone! 

LOVE ON THE LINE, a novella by Kimberly Kincaid, Curtis Brown Digital, available now in Kindle ebook format.